VAL STARR – WHETHER BLUES is the SPOTLIGHT SINGLE

Yes folks the Spotlight single from the 10th February for one month is Whether Blues as chosen by Val Starr.

When asked why this particular song Val contested“Because the US is so divided and so many people missing the main reason to be…i choose Whether Blues because we all just need to put aside our differences and just get along”

Any one think of a better reason to choose a Spotlight Single then post below.

Whether you’re right, or whether you’re wrong

It don’t mean a thing til’ we get along

Whether you’re weak, or whether you’re strong

We all need each other, to help us belong

Whether you’re pro, or whether you’re con

It won’t mean a thing after everything’s said and done

Whether you’re black or whether you’re white

we’re all just one people in God’s given light

Whether you’re left or whether you’re right

It doesn’t matter if we only fight

Whether you’re rich or whether you’re poor

It don’t mean a thing when you’re knockin on heaven’s door

Whether It’s mine or whether or it’s yours

It’s not what we have, it’s what it’s used for

Whether it’s false or whether it’s true

You make it better, when you say what you do

Whether you’re Arab or whether you’re Jew

It won’t mean a thing when your days on this earth are through

When negotiating the deal for the spotlight single with Val who is a pretty sharp cookie! I decided against my better judgement to do a short interview with the ever busy Ms. Starr.

First of a bit of flattery.

“Some of these questions are from readers and listeners of TMEFM Radio who are all really impressed with I always turn the blues on.”

“That is beyond awesome.”

Well that went well I will continue with the questions.

“When not working what music do you listen to? and how? spotify etc,cd/vinyl,ipod?”

“I listen to all types of music from blues to classic rock and classic r&b, from adult alternative to new age . I listen to my own radio network GotRadio.com on my computer while working or on my mobile device via the free GotRadio app (apologize for the plug! LOL)”

I decide not to mention we are advert free radio and approach this interview very carefully or it could end up like one of the adverts during Superbowl, phrase the questions with care Richard or else.

“Have you ever reached a point in your career where you felt disappointed/disillusioned . if so how did you get over it?”

“There are always times when a musician feels tired and disillusioned. Usually when you have a less than satisfactory performance, whether it be lack of attendance or just a bad night. Many years ago I went to a huge concert at the LA Coliseum. About 30,000 fans came to see the Rolling Stones. The opening act was a skinny, scrappy little black dude who came out in his skivvies. He gave it his all but the crowd booed him and threw stuff at him. This spunky little performer was Prince, who went on to insurmountable, well deserved fame. I gain strength from that moment in time, knowing that if Prince could bounce back from such a devastating performance, I could handle just about anything.”

Where is she?

WOW this cookie is old enough to have gone to THAT concert she doesn’t look it.I will not to say that with all the Political Correctness and Sexual Abuse cases on HUFF POST, we are a profit free radio and cannot afford a court case.Lets see how the wind blows Richard.

“Is there a place for Political Correctness in songwriting or should a song really tell how you feel, or how do you stand on P.C.”

“I believe songs tell a story. The story could be about personal things like love, relationships, etc, or they could be about more universal topics. I think all interesting stories deserve to be told or sung, regardless of whether they are “PC” or not.”

Right thats good open minded carry on.

“How do you feel about the Internet in the music business? Streaming,piracy,digital sales.”

“Oh don’t get me started. I’ve been to Washington DC twice, lobbying for Internet Radio rights. The royalties are way out of line for small to medium sized webcasters. Internet Radio is not unlike traditional radio, except that the delivery mechanism is different. Indie webcasters are the lifeline to continue to uphold the diversity of music worldwide. If the major labels had their way, they’d put us all out of business and then there would literally be just a handful of stations that would be exposing their music. And trust me, they wouldn’t be blues or folk stations. Indie artists, internet radio need to band together to ensure a healthy music eco-system for the future. Music lovers should know the true story. When major artists and record labels are crying foul, it is not because of internet radio. It is their own fault for not embracing the digital music business model long ago. Now they just want to blame us when the fact of the matter is, they don’t know how to sell music anymore.”

Now that’s my kind of gal, you tell ’em and tell ’em good but I think I had better change the direction of the questions, at least she didnt mentionGotRadio.com .

“What song by another artist (written or performed) set the standard of greatness for you? How has that song influenced your work?”

“There are so many incredible songs out there. I think there are 3 (if I may be so bold), ballads sung by female artists that I have always loved and touch my soul, “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt and a beautiful standard (I like both Barbra Streisand’s version but Bonnie does this great as well) “Since I Fell For You”, and Of course “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James. They influence me because that make me “feel” and relate. I try to create songs for people that make them feel and relate.

Gotta mention too one of my all time favs, Gary Moore’s “Still Got The Blues” The guitar brings me to tears.”

Got good taste as well as being tasty. Why are my thoughts appearing in bold print? A new WordPress App? Stop thinking of the interview scene in Basic instincts! get back to the real world boy.

“If you could do a three-song set for a global audience, what songs would you choose?”

“Haha – see above! “

Come on Richard you are losing it, concentrate.

“With whom would you like to collaborate on an album?”

“I would love love love to collaborate with Bonnie Raitt. I want more slide guitar on my next cd, and she is a master at slide guitar. And if we could do a duet. Wow! She is my idol.”

“I have a song I wrote called “Chardonnay” (I happen to like wine! LOL). It’s a lively swing number and the ladies love it. At shows, when we performed it, it became a tradition to call up my girlfriends in the audience to sing it with me. We’ve had dozens of women come up on stage at various shows. We call them the Chardonettes!”

Wow Californian ladies come in all shapes and sizes now I know where they go when filming Baywatch. Damn I cannot edit out these thoughts in bold I need a sip of water.

“How do you handle mistakes during a performance?”

“The biggest fear for a singer is forgetting the words. But with the blues, you are telling a story so if I space out, I have learned to instantly make up words and continue the story. Kind of like how rappers make up their raps.”

So she is not perfect perfect, good.

“Which European countries/cities would you like to play in? and of course why?”

“Spain (because you are there!) and I hear it is beautiful. I’d like to play in the Netherlands because we’ve gotten some good airplay there, as well as the UK. I’m ½ British and I have a lot of family in the UK that i’ve never met.”

No Richard she did not flutter her eyes when she said that, concentrate. Half British that explains a lot.

“How often and for how long do you practice?”

“Well for singing, I sing everyday, all the time. I sing in the supermarket while shopping, much to the amusement of other shoppers. Words and phrases always trigger songs in my head and I’ll bust out a song. My kids get a real kick out if it. For guitar, I try to pick up my guitar everyday. I’ve been trying to learn more lead playing. I never played lead because I always sang, and lead playing is a lead instrument, not unlike vocals. But i’m working on it!”

Now she wants to do everything, watch out boys or it will soon be a one gal band.

“Would you ever write a song praising God, you know any god or even with a religious content.”

“I’m a very spiritual person, but I’m also a believer that religion and God are very personal things. I do have one song, called Misery Train that is my first gospel based song that i’ve written. I love the feel that Gospel music portrays, but I wouldn’t presume to preach to anyone.”

You’ve raised my spirits Val and blood pressure too.

“WHY BLUES?”

“For me, I grew up listening to and playing classic rock. But even by the time I started writing and playing in rock bands in L.A. in the 80’s, critics used to compare me to bands like Fleetwood Mac, and by the 80’s that was already passe. Growing up with classic rock, which is largely blues based, i’ve always loved the passion and the amazing lead solos that the genre provided. You can’t write a new classic rock song, because that time in space has already passed, but I found I could write new blues songs, that contained some of the elements of classic rock, and it was fresh and new and exciting. I also grew up loving musicals, so I enjoy the stories I can tell with the blues. I think people of my generation really relate to the blues. The challenge now is introducing the blues to a young audience and keeping the genre alive. That’s why programs like BITS (Blues In The School) are so important. “

We will let that plug pass to as its a great idea but no way she was playing rock in the 80’s unless she is a “Shirley Temple” No I will not think of Val dressed as a school girl a la Japanese! STOP IT MIND.Think of something different for gods sake boy.

That’s better.

“How do you find time to do everything you do? I mean you are a business woman, singer/songwriter,live performer,recording artist.You are a very young grandmother so there is a family, you have a husband to look after with all his washing and ironing,cooking to do,cleaning, I mean there are not enough hours in the day!”

“Hahaha. Great question and so true (except I hate to iron). I have been fortunate to be able to work out of my house for some time now. I get up early and hit the ground running. (no commute time – I just work). I’ve always been pretty much a self-starter and have the entrepreneurial spirit. I have my own little demo station with my Mac and Garage Band app right next to my work station, so If an idea for a song hits me, I just swivel my chair and start demoing.. It’s awesome!”

You are awesome.sigh. Come on Richard get this interview over and go and have a cold shower.